Blessings and peace be upon Rasulullah ﷺ, his family, friends and those who follow in his footsteps until the end of time. He was Hatib ibn Abi Balta’ah ibn Amr ’ibn‘ Umair ibn Salamah al-Lakhmi al-Makki. He was one of the armies of Badr.
(See Siyar A’lam al-Nubala’, 3/32)
It is said that Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه is a person who has an attractive physical body, his beard is small, his person is not tall, his hands are rough. Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه also narrated a hadith which later, his two sons Abdul Rahman and Yahya and Urwah bin Zubair narrated from him.
(See al-Tabaqat al-Kubra oleh
Ibn Sa'd, 3/85; Usd
al-Ghabah fi Ma’rifah al-Sahabah, 1/659)
Hatib bin Abi Balta’ah رضي الله عنه dan Raja Muqauqis
Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه was a companion of Rasulullah ﷺ who became the official envoy of the Islamic government to Muqauqis, the king of Egypt to call and invite the people of Egypt to follow the teachings of Islam.
(See al-Tabaqat al-Kubra oleh
Ibn Sa'ad, 3/114)
The letter contains an invitation conveyed by Rasulullahﷺ to the Muqauqis to embrace Islam. Dr. Muhammad ‘Imarah stated that there was a statement of Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه during his dialogue with Raja al-Muqauqis proving that he celebrated freedom of religion. Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه said:
"We do not forbid you to embrace the religion of the Prophet 'Isa, in fact, we call you to him (true understanding of the teachings of the Prophet' Isa)…" Allah SWT is the one who created the diversity and differences in the rules of religions which are sunnatullah. "
(See al-Islam wa al-Akhar oleh
Muhammad ‘Imarah, hlm. 83)
Leaking the Secrets of Rasulullah ﷺ
(See Fatawa Mu’asirah oleh al-Qaradhawi, hlm. 176-177)
Sheikh Sofiyurrahman al-Mubarakpuri in his book al-Rahiq al-Makhtum mentions: Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه wrote a message to the Quraysh to inform them of the journey of Rasulullahﷺ The message was given to a woman and the woman inserted the message in her lock of hair. He went to the Quraish. Then, Rasulullahﷺ news came from heaven telling him about what Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه had done. So Rasulullahﷺ then sent Saiyidina Ali Ibn Abi Talibرضي الله عنه and Saiyidina Miqdad رضي الله saying: “Go Rasulullah ﷺ until you reach Raudhah Khakh. There was a woman there who brought a message to Quraish. "
So the two went on a fast horse until they met the woman at the place. The two continued to approach the woman and asked: "Did you bring a message?" The woman replied, "I did not bring a message." Then they both inspected the woman's mount and found nothing.
Then Ali said to the woman, “I swear in the name of Allah SWT, Rasulullahﷺ never lied. For the sake of Allah SWT, you issue the message or we will strip you naked. ” Seeing the seriousness displayed by Saiyidina Ali Ibn Abi Talibرضي الله عنه, the woman replied: “I will take it out. I will take it out. ” The woman then unraveled her hair and issued the message. She handed over the message to Saiyidina Ali Ibn Abi Talibرضي الله عنه and Sayidina Miqdad رضي الله عنه .
(See Fatawa Mu’asirah oleh al-Qaradhawi, hlm. 176-177)
Both of them then brought the message to Rasulullah ﷺ. When opened, it was found in it written: "From Hatib bin Abi Balta'ah to Quraish." In it, Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه told about the movement of Rasulullah ﷺ So Rasulullahﷺ then called Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه and asked: "Is this Hatib?" Hatib replied: "Do not judge me, O Messenger of Allah. By Allah, I truly believe in Allah SWT and His Messenger. I did not apostatize and did not change my religion. Only I was the first child to grow up in the midst of Quraish. Actually, I am not their brother, but they are willing to serve me as their family, brother, and child. I have a brother who can protect them. Whereas the people who are with you are their brothers, who can actually protect them. That's why I want to do what I can to protect them. "
Saiyidina Umar bin al-Khattab رضي الله عنه then said: “Leave me, O Messenger of Allah. I will behead him. Indeed, he has betrayed Allah SWT and His Messenger. He is a hypocrite. ”
Rasulullah SAW replied:
إِنَّهُ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا وَمَا يُدْرِيكَ لَعَلَّ
اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ اطَّلَعَ عَلَى أَهْلِ بَدْرٍ فَقَالَ اعْمَلُوا مَا
شِئْتُمْ فَقَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَكُمْ
Meaning: “Indeed, he was one of the people who participated in the battle of Badr. Do you know, that Allah SWT has seen (into the hearts) those who participated in the Battle of Badr, then He said: "Do what you want, indeed I have forgiven you."
Riwayat al-Bukhari (4890)
Both eyes of Saiyidina Umar bin al-Khattab رضي الله عنه continued to shed tears. Then he said: "Allah SWT and His Messenger know better"
Thus Allah SWT obscured every eye so that the news of the preparation and departure of the Muslim army to fight was not known by the Quraish.
(See al-Rahiq al-Makhtum, hlm. 588-589)
Dr. Yusuf al-Qaradhawi said: The Qur'an confirms the actions of the Prophet ﷺ through the first verse of Surah al-Mumtahanah. The words of Allah SWT:
You take My enemies and your enemies as close friends, by the way, you convey to them (the secret news of the believers) because of the good relations and affection that exist between you and them, while they have disbelieved in the truth (Islam). ) that reaches you; they expelled the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and expelled you (from the Holy Land of Makkah) because you believed in Allah your Lord. (Do not do that) if you go out to strive in My way and to seek My pleasure. You have made love with them secretly, and I am well acquainted with what you conceal and what you reveal.
(Surah al-Mumtahanah: 1)
Allah SWT still calls Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه with the title given to the believers and separates them from the group of non-believers, as in the verse "..by the way you reach them (the secret of the Believers) because of the friendly relationship between you."
(See Fatawa
Mu’asirah oleh al-Qaradhawi, hlm. 176-177)
Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه died in the city of Madinah in the year 30 AH at the age of 65 years. Saidina Uthman RA had prayed over the corpse. He left the property of 4000 dinars and dirhams as well as a house.
See al-Tabaqat al-Kubra oleh Ibn Sa'd, 3/85)
May Allah SWT give us all an understanding of the requirements of Islamic law. Amen
Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه has died in the city of Madinah in the year 30 Hijrah at the age of 65 years. Saiyidin Uthman رضي الله عنه performed Solat Jenazah on the remained to Hatib. Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه left a fortune of 4000 dinars and dirhams and a house.
(See al-Tabaqat al-Kubra by Ibn Sa'd, 3/85)
May Allah SWT give us all understanding of the will of Islamic Shari'a. Amen.
When Rasulullahﷺ and the Muslims were preparing for the "Conquest of Makkah". Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah رضي الله عنه had sent a letter to the people of Makkah to inform them about it. He told them "Indeed Muhammad wants to fight you, so be careful all of you". The letter was sent through a woman who was on her way to Makkah named Zha'inah.
Then Allah S.W.T sent a revelation to Rasulullahﷺ explaining the matter of the leak of the secret. Rasulullahﷺ immediately called Ali ra, Zubair and Miqdad with the words "Immediately you all go to a place Raudhah Khak, because there is Zha'inah (woman traveler) who brought a letter, then take it from her and then bring the letter here".
After that, we immediately left, until some time we reached Raudhah we found the woman. We said to him "Get the letter out". He replied "What letter, I did not bring any letter". We said, “That’s right you didn’t bring any letters! You want to give the letter or we take off your clothes ”. Finally, in fear, he took the letter out of his bun. We continued to take the letter and immediately returned to Madinah and handed over the letter to Rasulullahﷺ.
In fact, the letter reads, 'From Hatib ibn Abi Balta'ah, addressed to a group of people from the polytheists in Mecca… and so on'. Among its contents tells them about some of the secrets of Rasulullahﷺ. Then Rasulullahﷺ called Hatib and said “O Hatib! What have you done? ” Hatib replied “O Rasulullahﷺ! Do not be in a hurry to accuse me. Indeed, I am a person who has a very close relationship with Quraish, and am I not one of the best among them, and among those who are with you from the Muhajireen, they have relatives and they want to take care of their families and property. So I am a person who wants to take care of my relatives. I did not do this because I am an infidel or an apostate from Islam. "
Then Saiyidina Umar bin al-Khattab رضي الله عنه interrupted by saying O Rasulullahﷺ! "Let me behead this hypocrite." Rasulullahﷺ replied with his words “O Umar, indeed he was involved in the battle of Badr. What do you know O Umar? May Allah know the people of Badr. ” Then Rasulullahﷺ said “O people of Badr! Do what you like, indeed I have forgiven you. "
Then came the words of Allah SWT which means "O you who believe, do not take My enemies and your enemies to be loyal friends that you convey to them (the news of Muhammad) for reasons of love, in fact, they have disbelieved in the truth that comes to you. They expelled the Rasulullahﷺ and you because of believing in Allah, your Lord, if you really go out jihad in My way and seek My pleasure (do not you do so) you secretly tell them the news of Muhammad, out of love. I know best what you conceal and what you reveal, and whoever of you does it, he has indeed strayed from the straight path ”.
[Al Mumtahanah; 1.]
Indeed there are many lessons we learn from this event. It gives us an explanation of how the tarbiyah of Rasulullahﷺ went through various events that took place. Rasulullahﷺ was a great leader and murabbi.
We and the ummah may be shocked by Hatib’s actions, in that he is a first-generation friend and member of Badr. That is the essence of the human soul, sometimes experiencing weak or future moments. Once one has reached the strength of faith, the possibility of error and negligence still exists. Only Allah S.W.T is the one who is never wrong, and only Allah gives help.
Listen to how Rasulullahﷺ asked Hatib, his companion by observing from the point of view of the weakness that was befalling him, "What prompted you to do so?" His Majesty Rasulullahﷺ. asked with open arms and gentleness when the weakness came upon one's self. Then Rasulullahﷺ forbade his companions from such acts "Be honest and do not say except what is good".
This atmosphere helped Hatib, so he rose from his negligence and mistakes. Rasulullahﷺ did not expel him and did not allow anyone to expel him. Even if we find, a serious and firm faith can be observed from the attitude of Saiyidina Umar bin al-Khattab رضي الله عنه by saying “He has betrayed Allah and His Rasulullahﷺ. Then let me behead him. "
Sayyid Qutb explains in Zilal Quran, Rasulullahﷺ saw the event from a broad view of the human soul from all aspects. With the gentle attitude born of ma'rifah, and the attitude of a noble murabbi who is full of love can handle problems with the breadth of his view.
That is the word of Allah which means “O you who believe! Do not take My enemies and your enemies as loyal friends ".
[Al Mumtahanah; verse 1]
Which is a call full of mawaddah to the believers, so as not to make the enemies of God as loyal friends.
That is the manhaj of the Quran in treating and curing the human soul. A manhaj that invites a person to do good, far from insults and ridicule that do not bring good. Even mocking and accusing people of wrongdoing can lead to harsh and arrogant attitudes. There is also forgiving people who do wrong and mixing them well is the door to goodness.
On one occasion, Hisham bin Malik once cursed someone from among the nobles, the man said to him "Are you not ashamed to curse me, while you are a caliph?" Hisham bin Malik replied, "Retaliate against me". The man replied, "I don't want to be a fool". Hisham replied, "Are you asking for a change from me in the form of property". The man looked at Hisham and said "I do not want to sell my honor for dirhams and dinars". Hisham replied, "Make it for Allah". The man replied, "It is for Allah and for you". Hisham felt ashamed and bowed his head and promised Allah not to curse anyone after that and forever.
That is how a daie and murabbi should be with tarbiyah that makes his mad'u-mad'un have noble morals, not ta'riyah (insult) that will help the devil to be his enemy. Thus, the mad'u-mad'unya become a good human resource among the community and ummah
